Andhra Pradesh Holds Maiden Budget Session in New Capital Amaravati

Hyderabad: It is a historic moment for Andhra Pradesh as the bifurcated state held its maiden budget session in the new capital Amaravati.

Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014 to create Telangana.

The Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan addressed a joint session of Legislative Assembly and Legislative council at interim Assembly complex in Velagapudi on Monday.

Addressing the members, he said, "This is a "Golden Moment" in the history of the state. In last two and half years, Andhra Pradesh has converted all challenges into opportunity after its bifurcation. "

Like every year, the budget session is likely to be stormy with main opposition party YSRCP all set to attack the ruling TDP government over a number of issues like special status, involvement of TDP leader’s travel company in recent bus accident, suspension of YRSCP MLA Roja, problem of unemployment in the state, among others.

Reiterating that Andhra Pradesh should be among best three states by 2022 and number one in the country by 2029, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said, "With the start of budget session, I am confident that key points on Andhra Pradesh's development and welfare will be addressed."

The state budget will be presented on March 13. The ultra modern State assembly and Legislative Council buildings are equipped to handle any unruly scenes.

The benches have been fitted with a small device in a rectangular shape called linear Vocal Microphone facing the members, which once fitted, cannot be unplugged and broken, leaving little scope for pulling out mikes and damaging them and create scenes in the House.

The Speaker’s Podium is also strategically built at a height of 7-feet and is fitted with ultra-modern audio system.

The state-of-the-art Assembly is built on the ground floor with 225 seats as against the strength of 175 at present, keeping in view delimitation in 2019.

The first floor facing the Speaker’s podium accommodates galleries for visitors, VIPs, officials and media. Besides, two conference halls, each with 60 seats and another conference hall with 250 seats have been built. Parking facility is also provided on a sprawling five acres of land.